Sunderland have been hit with a huge injury blow following the club's 1-1 draw with Premier League side Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup...

What's the talk?

Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray has confirmed that striker Ross Stewart is potentially facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging his Achilles in the match on Saturday.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, the boss said: "First thoughts is it's pretty bad. If it's an Achilles - we've discussed whether it's ruptured, but it's a bad injury.

"Hopefully it's just strained and it's not so bad, but let's wait and see. It's no good me telling you it's really bad or it's not so bad, let's wait and see what the scan shows, but we know he's got a protective boot on his foot."

Time for Joe Gelhardt

Mowbray must react to this devastating injury to his star striker by throwing new signing Joe Gelhardt, who joined the club on loan from Premier League side Leeds United earlier this week, in at the deep end in the coming weeks.

The talented youngster is on loan at the Stadium of Light until the end of the season and must not be given excessive time to settle into life on Wearside as Stewart's absence now requires the 20-year-old to immediately step up.

Sunderland's Scotland international was enjoying a phenomenal campaign in the Championship and his injury comes as a big blow to the Black Cats as he had plundered ten goals and three assists in 13 appearances in the division.

Gelhardt, who was once praised as being "absolutely outrageous" by Whites reporter Beren Cross, has showcased his potential as a goalscorer and a creator at youth and senior level for Leeds.

In the academy set-up at Elland Road, the forward smashed in 20 goals and provided six assists in 31 U21 matches - including 11 goals in 16 Premier League 2 outings in the 2020/21 campaign.

The gem has also caught the eye at first-team level with two goals and six assists in half a dozen Premier League starts for the Whites since the start of last season, which shows that the talented youngster has the quality to make an impact at the very top level.

These statistics suggest that the dynamo has the potential, if he can combine his form at youth and senior level for Leeds, to be the goalscorer and creator that Sunderland had in Stewart, which is why Mowbray must throw him into the thick of Championship action straight away following this latest injury blow.